Kennedy Miller
July 2022
Kennedy
Miller
,
BSN, RN
Advanced Procedural Suite
WellSpan York Hospital
York
,
PA
United States
It is because of her compassion that I can take my sister-in-law back home to her family, who loves her tremendously.
In November, my sister-in-law was brought into the ER via ambulance with COVID pneumonia. My sister-in-law has Downs Syndrome, is non-verbal, blind in the left eye, wheelchair dependent and 24/ 7 one-to-one total care. I am her caregiver and legal guardian, and have taken care of my sister-in-law since my mother-in-law passed.
My sister-in-law was moved to the 4 Southwest unit by herself. When they came to transport her to her room, I was told that I would not be able to stay with her due to the COVID policy. I let the transporters know that I was her legal guardian and that my sister-in-law was non-verbal, but they stated that other non-verbal patients were being cared for and transported her to the unit. I was a mess. I waited for my ride as I had accompanied her to the hospital in the ambulance. When I got home, I called to speak with the nurse and give her information regarding my sister-in-law.
The following morning, I called and spoke with Kennedy, the day nurse taking care of my sister-in-law. I discussed with her that my sister-in-law is non-verbal, needed to be hand-fed, given drinks (if not on IV fluids), is incontinent of bowel, and needs to be turned regularly to avoid bed sores. I was still crying and upset about not being able to be by her side. After continuing our conversation, Kennedy asked me how long I had been taking care of my sister-in-law. I told her I have been caring for her for 3 years and that this was the first time we had been separated.
Kennedy was so compassionate and caring. She took the time to ask me questions about our relationship. We ended the conversation, and within half an hour, Kennedy called me back. She stated that she had spoken with her supervisor about me being the caregiver for my sister-in-law and not being able to be with her on the unit. Following that conversation, they allowed me to be with my sister-in-law and assist in her care, which came at a time when she had taken a turn for the worse. The care and compassion that Kennedy has for her patients and their families go above and beyond the call of "just" being a nurse. Her compassion shows how she would want to be cared for if the situation was reversed. It is because of her compassion that I can take my sister-in-law back home to her family, who loves her tremendously. For this reason, I have nominated Kennedy Miller for the DAISY Award.
My sister-in-law was moved to the 4 Southwest unit by herself. When they came to transport her to her room, I was told that I would not be able to stay with her due to the COVID policy. I let the transporters know that I was her legal guardian and that my sister-in-law was non-verbal, but they stated that other non-verbal patients were being cared for and transported her to the unit. I was a mess. I waited for my ride as I had accompanied her to the hospital in the ambulance. When I got home, I called to speak with the nurse and give her information regarding my sister-in-law.
The following morning, I called and spoke with Kennedy, the day nurse taking care of my sister-in-law. I discussed with her that my sister-in-law is non-verbal, needed to be hand-fed, given drinks (if not on IV fluids), is incontinent of bowel, and needs to be turned regularly to avoid bed sores. I was still crying and upset about not being able to be by her side. After continuing our conversation, Kennedy asked me how long I had been taking care of my sister-in-law. I told her I have been caring for her for 3 years and that this was the first time we had been separated.
Kennedy was so compassionate and caring. She took the time to ask me questions about our relationship. We ended the conversation, and within half an hour, Kennedy called me back. She stated that she had spoken with her supervisor about me being the caregiver for my sister-in-law and not being able to be with her on the unit. Following that conversation, they allowed me to be with my sister-in-law and assist in her care, which came at a time when she had taken a turn for the worse. The care and compassion that Kennedy has for her patients and their families go above and beyond the call of "just" being a nurse. Her compassion shows how she would want to be cared for if the situation was reversed. It is because of her compassion that I can take my sister-in-law back home to her family, who loves her tremendously. For this reason, I have nominated Kennedy Miller for the DAISY Award.